- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
D-Day thoughts in a letter to my grandmother from my grandfather .. dated June 13, 1944
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:31 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:31 pm
"I'll never forget the spectacle of D-Day. It was thrilling and did we have a grandstand seat. Seeing the firing at dawn was a rare and beautiful sight. The whole import behind it was thrilling. I felt so proud and so happy, just to look under my wing to right or left, and see the ghostly outlines of ships in the half light, blasting away at shore installations. To us who had waited so long, it was the beginning of our return home."
From my aunt's comments about her dad (my grandfather); I think that this was in his obituary:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again. He completed 13 sorties and among other commendations, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
From my aunt's comments about her dad (my grandfather); I think that this was in his obituary:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again. He completed 13 sorties and among other commendations, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
29
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:32 pm to tiger91
very cool
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:33 pm to tiger91
quote:
the spectacle of D-Day
If time machines were a thing this is one of the events I would like to witness.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:35 pm to Pettifogger
I have photos of him in planning meetings ... I dont' know how to post here but will try to find the link. He flew with the RAF.
He had an ear infection prior to DDay and wouldn't have been able to fly had it happened when originally planned.
He had an ear infection prior to DDay and wouldn't have been able to fly had it happened when originally planned.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:39 pm to tiger91
That’s awesome, we owe those men so much.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:40 pm to tiger91
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:42 pm to tiger91
In April 2019 I had the privilege of taking an extensive tour of the D-Day beaches just weeks before the 75th anniversary. One of the things I tried to do at places like Omaha and Utah Beaches, Pointe du Hoc and St Mere Eglaise was to imagine what the scene looked like on June 6, 1944.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:44 pm to tiger91
[quote]LINK ]
Two other photos that he's named in - Robert J Adams - toward the bottom.
And yes, we do owe them so much ... him being in the air I guess was much more fortunate than being on a Higgins Boat. And photos that I came across while looking for these is what makes me so angry about our leaders of today .. they're trying to make our country unrecognizable.
I asked my grandfather once if he was scared .. "I wasn't scared .. a little concerned" he told me ... "the English were so great and gave us tea and cookies".
Two other photos that he's named in - Robert J Adams - toward the bottom.
And yes, we do owe them so much ... him being in the air I guess was much more fortunate than being on a Higgins Boat. And photos that I came across while looking for these is what makes me so angry about our leaders of today .. they're trying to make our country unrecognizable.
I asked my grandfather once if he was scared .. "I wasn't scared .. a little concerned" he told me ... "the English were so great and gave us tea and cookies".
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:45 pm to geauxpurple
How very cool ... In either 2006 or 2007, my grandfather was able to visit the WW2 Memorial in DS on an Honor Flight.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:45 pm to tiger91
quote:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again.
That's amazing. There was a lot going to in the area to make that happen.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:51 pm to tiger91
quote:
Observation Squadron 7 (VOS-7)[1] (or VCS-7)[2] was a United States Navy artillery observer aircraft squadron based in England during Operation Overlord. The squadron was assembled expressly to provide aerial spotting for naval gunfire support during the invasion of Normandy. Personnel and aircraft were assembled on 1 June 1944 and began flying missions on 6 June 1944. The squadron was disbanded when Allied capture of the town of Cherbourg ended naval bombardment responsibilities on 26 June 1944. It is thought to be one of the shortest-lived squadrons in the history of United States military aviation.[1]
Background
Catapult-launched Vought OS2U Kingfisher and Curtiss SOC Seagull observation floatplanes traditionally carried aboard battleships and cruisers for artillery observers had been unable to survive Axis fighter planes during the amphibious invasion of Sicily. Faster and more maneuverable fighters were expected to provide more reliable observation of naval gunfire support during the invasion of Normandy.[2] Fighters could reach the invasion coast from bases in England, and gunfire support warship availability would be increased by eliminating time required for launch and recovery of aircraft.
Personnel and aircraft
Seventeen aviators were assigned from the VOS squadron detachments aboard the battleships USS Arkansas, Texas and Nevada and the heavy cruisers USS Augusta, Tuscaloosa and Quincy. These naval aviators, commanded by the senior aviator from Quincy, were trained by the United States Army Air Forces 67th Reconnaissance Group to fly Supermarine Spitfire Mk V fighter aircraft. VOS-7 is thought to be the only United States Navy Squadron flying Spitfires.[1]
Operations
VOS-7 was part of the air spotting pool for the Normandy invasion (the 34th Reconnaissance Wing of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force) commanded by Royal Navy Commodore E.C. Thornton.[1] Use of drop tanks allowed missions of two hours with about 30 minutes transit time to the combat area, 45 minutes on station, and 30 minutes to return to base. Spotting missions flew in pairs. The spotter piloted the lead aircraft while his wingman watched for enemy fighters. Preferred altitude was 6,000 feet (1,800 m), but overcast skies often limited visibility above 1,500 feet (460 m).[2]
VOS-7 flew 191[2] (or 209)[1] combat sorties beginning on 6 June. Ninety-four of those sorties were flown in the first three days. The senior aviator from Tuscaloosa was killed when his Spitfire was hit by flak on 6 June. Flak was responsible for most of the eight VOS-7 Spitfires destroyed by combat damage; but their pilots survived, as did the pilot of a ninth Spitfire destroyed in a non-combat accident. Four VOS-7 pilots survived encounters with Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters. VOS-7 pilots were awarded nine Distinguished Flying Crosses and eleven Air Medals.[2]
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:55 pm to pussywillows
Thanks so much -- I'm not old but tech challenged.
My aunt/uncles held an estate sale after their deaths. I came across a "My Sunday Missal" that was given to soldiers .. I thought it was his but after further inspection, discovered that it was his brothers.
He had several medals that are now in a shadow box .. I know that one was a Distinguished Flying Cross.
My aunt/uncles held an estate sale after their deaths. I came across a "My Sunday Missal" that was given to soldiers .. I thought it was his but after further inspection, discovered that it was his brothers.
He had several medals that are now in a shadow box .. I know that one was a Distinguished Flying Cross.
This post was edited on 6/6/23 at 2:58 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:57 pm to tiger91
quote:
He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
That's pretty cool.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:59 pm to AlumneyeJ93
And I have NO idea how that happened ... don't remember asking him and could kick myself for it. When my oldest son was in 6th grade, we interviewed him for my son's class .. he didn't want to speak in front of the class but let us talk and ask questions for a while .. WHY would we not have asked that???
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:04 pm to tiger91
Incredible story!! Thanks for sharing.
I served 8 years in the Marines, and only saw Iraq in a 'Non hostile' environment.
In my 8 years, the most humbling, incredible thing I witnessed was during the opening of the WWII museum, which I took part in, was seeing those MEN who went before us. Loading them up into the old 5-tons, the HMMWV's etc, some were cutting up like they probably did going into battle. Some were shell-shocked even still to that day. Each and every one of those MEN thanked me for my service, which felt odd coming from them, all I could do each time is send back a stern, heartfelt, No sir, THANK YOU for paving the way.
Still a fond memory for me being out there that day to participate in celebrating those MEN..
I served 8 years in the Marines, and only saw Iraq in a 'Non hostile' environment.
In my 8 years, the most humbling, incredible thing I witnessed was during the opening of the WWII museum, which I took part in, was seeing those MEN who went before us. Loading them up into the old 5-tons, the HMMWV's etc, some were cutting up like they probably did going into battle. Some were shell-shocked even still to that day. Each and every one of those MEN thanked me for my service, which felt odd coming from them, all I could do each time is send back a stern, heartfelt, No sir, THANK YOU for paving the way.
Still a fond memory for me being out there that day to participate in celebrating those MEN..
This post was edited on 6/6/23 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:04 pm to pussywillows
pussywillows, do you want to post a pic of a letter he wrote about his targets? Evidently he wrote long hand to my grandmother and she transcribed them ... I'll send you a pic.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:05 pm to tiger91
sure...if you want to edit the post i'm replying to, i'll post the pic
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:06 pm to caliegeaux
quote:
Still a fond memory for me being out there that day to participate in celebrating those MEN.
And thank you for YOUR service!
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:07 pm to pussywillows
Here's my email .. let me know when you get it and I'll edit and then send.
This post was edited on 6/6/23 at 3:10 pm
Page 1 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News